The FAB Five

Once upon a time, in 1983, a Duranie was born.

I was 11 years old, and went to Catholic school, along with my best friend, Cynthia.

We lived in a small town off of Route 66, in New Mexico. 

Cyn had this older cousin in Phoenix who we both thought was seriously, "the cat's pajamas" (Is that still a saying?)

She had been in town for a visit and introduced Cyn to her new favorite band.  The album 7 and the Ragged Tiger had just come out, and was creating a frenzy amongst teenage girls everywhere.  We may have just been preteens, but, living in a boring little town, going to Catholic school, we needed something to stir us up!

I had really liked them in the past.  Rio and Hungry like the Wolf were faves of mine.  I had also recently discovered David Bowie and, well, being 11, almost 12, it was the dawn of sexual awaking, and these boys...errr, ummm, men, were going to be just the men to do it.  I don't mean actually, physically having sex with them, but, just realizing that my I was growing out of childhood and that I had certain feelings blossoming.  Yes, men in eyeliner we my first real crushes! 

That school year, 6th grade, with my only view to the outside world being my tv, my best friend and I spent many, many, many a weekend, sleep over night staying up till all hours, drinking soda and coffee to stay awake, waiting to see a Duran Duran video!  You see kids, in the 80s, we couldn't just pull up anything we wanted to see on YouTube.  So, between Mtv, (yes, they actually played videos then!!!), Night Flight and Night Tracks, we would flip from channel to channel until we heard the unmistakable sound of the beginning of a Duran Duran song.  We enjoyed the other music as well, we loved Bowie, of course, ummm... Culture Club, ABC, Thompson Twins, etc...

We suffered through Van Halen, and Twisted  Sister once in a while and fell in love with those girls, like Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Pat Benatar. 

When Duran Duran would finally come on, we would be GIDDY!  Screaming, sometimes even crying!  Yep, just 3 minutes of those boys on the screen was like an orgasm to these two little 11 year olds.  I remember after the premiere of Union of the Snake, and realizing then that I was going to marry Nick Rhodes, I was shaking and my heart was pounding!  These 5 boys from Birmingham, England had done something to me.  It was irreversible!

Cyn and I had to collect everything we could on this band!  We saved up babysitting money and purchased cassettes, we would buy every 16, Tiger Beat and Smash Hits magazine that came out.  We had buttons and t-shirts and stickers....

The walls of my bedroom were wallpapered with images of these 5 brits! 

Living in small town New Mexico, I never got the chance to see them live back in day.  Back in '02, they actually came to Albuquerque, and played a very small venue downtown.  An old theater called The Kimo.  My dear friend and fellow Duranie, Thea, got us tickets to the show.  I had 2 small kids at the time, and had just moved to a small town in AZ, but had planned on traveling back for the show.  Unfortunately, my kids and I ended up with one of the worst stomach flues I remember having.  There was going to be no traveling back to NM, and no Duran Duran concert.  My friend gave my ticket to her sister.  The night of that show, I cried and cried and cried.

Last year, with the release of Paper Gods, they went back on tour!  The same friend i would have seen them with in '02 said "WE HAVE TO GO"... so we did!

They played in Phoenix in late summer, so we made the trip from Albuquerque.  Finally, at 44 years old, I go to see my beloved Duran Duran!!!  Thea and I sang every word to every song, and danced and screamed and even cried, just as I thought I always would if I ever got to see them live.  It was one of the best shows of my life, and believe me, I have been to my share of concerts! 

The only disappointment was the Nick was not there.  He had been called back to England for a spell.

Fast forward to this coming weekend.  My boyfriend is taking me to Atlanta to see the boys!  He knows how much I love them, and he got us tickets! This time, I actually get to see Nick! I am super excited!

I decided to look through my storage and dig out my Duran Duran memorbilia.  Yep, I STILL have it!  i have a bin filled with folders of pictures and posters!  Why do I still have it?  Because.... DURAN DURAN!!!!

I laid it all out yesterday and took a few pics... 

It really would be my dream to be able to meet the boys!  Just a hug and a hello from one of their forever fans!

 

 

 

Thank you for viewing! 

Remember to Follow Your Bliss...

ALWAYS!!!

 

Madeline Mariposa!

 

 



When in the Big Easy

Anyone who knows me, knows my affinity for New Orleans.  The old, haunted feeling of it, the music, the food, the art... really, it's a place that has always called to me. 

It had been several years since my last visit, so, when my boyfriend and I started talking about going, I was ecstatic!

We first went last month for Mardis Gras, and that, in and of itself is a story!  We had so much fun, we decided to go back just a month later.  As it turned out, my fella's favorite band was playing at House of Blues, and he really wanted to see them live again.  So, after a crazy couple of weeks at work, and the emotional stress of watching my oldest son move to another state, we decided it would be great to make the trip again.
This was a short trip, arriving friday afternoon, leaving sunday morning, so, it was all about just enjoying it, no stress, no plans (except the concert).

 

I want to first give props to my flight attendant on our Delta flight from Atlanta to New Orleans.  We left Albuquerque at 6:00 AM, so I hadn't eaten.  The flight from ABQ to Atlanta was bumpy and we were in the back row...no windows. The folks in front of us and around us all had the shades down on their windows, so it was dark and the turbulence without being able to see out, was making me feel sick.  We had to run to our adjoining flight, so, there was no time to grab a bite at the airport.  When we got on the connecting flight, my boyfriend told the flight attendant that I hadn't eaten and was feeling really nauseous.  5 minutes later, she comes up to me with ginerale, Sunchips, a couple granola bars and bananas.  She was smiling and sweet.  I didn't get her name, I wish I would have.  She was great.
After landing and checking into our AirBnB on Frenchman, we ventured out for lunch.  Our host told us about a place called Horns.
https://www.facebook.com/Horns-860346813982274/

The menu was full of New Orleans style fare, and we were so hungry we had a hard time choosing.  I ended up deciding on the catfish with spinach and grits.  My boyfriend had a pulled pork po'boy, I believe.  The atmosphere there was casual and local.  Artsy and fun décor and what seemed to be original wooden floors and walls.  The bar was made of wood and seemed to have an oldness about it too.  The salt and pepper shakers were kitchie and adorable.  The staff was pleasant for the most part.  We had originally had one waitress who gave us menus and took our drink order, but then seemed to forget about us.  Another waitress saw me looking around and took pity on us.  She came by and took our order and was, from that point on, very attentive and sweet.  The food was good!  It was just what we needed!

We had the concert to go to later, so we took a little walk through the neighborhood and then headed to our room for a little nap.
Our AirBnB was on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny.  My favorite area of NOLA.  The house was about 100 years old, and the owner had put new appliances in and done other work to make it livable after having sat abandoned for over 20 years.  He lived upstairs and rented out the 3 bedrooms on the main floor. 

The concert that evening was at The House of Blues.
https://www.facebook.com/HOBNewOrleans/?hc_ref=SEARCH

Having been to New Orleans several times before, this is one place I just never visited.  So, we took the bus down to the area in the French Quarter where House of Blues is located.  Now, although I LOVE New Orleans, I'm not a big fan of Bourbon street or the crazy, tourist filled areas.  I go to NOLA for the music, the food, and the feeling in the air.  HoB is located on Decatur and although not as crazy as Bourbon, does tend to be close to where the tourists like to go.  While walking to the venue, I spotted gorgeous vintage dress outside of a shop.  DETOUR! 
SWOON!!!  I found a shop called Dollz and Dames.
https://www.facebook.com/dollzanddamesofficial/?hc_ref=SEARCH
The House of Blues seems like it would be nothing but a tourist trap, at least that's how I feel about places like this.  Famous, opened and owned by a famous person, several around the country....  I would not have even gone there, had the concert not been there, actually.  I admit now though, that I was pleasantly surprised.  The atmosphere, albeit, kitchy, was fun and full of smiling faces. We sat outside, and had a few Old Fashions, (our favorite drink) and while my boyfriend tok advantage of the crawfish boil, I had a veggie flatbread off the menu.  It was filling, the drinks were good and the service was friendly.  What my favorite part of dinner was though, was the band on the outside stage.  Whoooo Weeee... I don't know who they were, but those boys could play some blues!!!!  WOW!  Here they are, if you recognize them, let me know so I can tag them!  Thanks!
The reason for the trip was to see Matisyahu, who happens to be my boyfriend's FAVE band/performer/artist.... 
We went into the music hall and started to look for a place to set our drinks and hang.  We made our way upstairs and saw that the best seats were roped off, VIP.  Well, as he does, my fella found the maitre'd and got us into the VIP section.  This also got us access to the Foundation Room.  What a treat!  We walked in and the house band was super fun, and the atmosphere was "loungey" and sexy.  We of course had more drinks and talked and enjoyed the music.... oh, and a little secret that's not quite out of the bag yet.... we got engaged!
Ok...  That's another story entirely!
So...  Matisyahu was amazing!  We danced our butts off!  What a fun night!
We tried walking home, but, had been drinking, stopped for nachos and got turned around! lol!  We called an Uber... thank goodness for Uber late at night, right?
Saturday was our one full day in town this time.  We started our morning off at what we now consider our favorite breakfast place while in New Orleans. 
https://www.facebook.com/cakecafeandbakery/
We had eaten there while in town for Mardi Gras and staying at an AirBnB in the Marigny.  Our AirBnB this time was on Frenchman street, and not far at all from this wonderful little, neighborhood café.   

OMG, we had a Pan au Chocolate and a sweet roll and grabbed some sort of strawberry/custard filled slice of yumminess for later.  This was all before the main entrée of spinach and Portobello omelet.  We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful spring morning. 
I do love walking through the Marigny.  The beautifully colored homes and the art in and around the neighborhood makes my heart happy.
The afternoon was somewhat rainy, and we spent the day just strolling through the French Quarter, walking in and out of some of the shops we love and a few we hadn't yet seen. I love Royal street for this, but there are sweet shops and galleries everywhere you look.
We ended up going into an antique gun and sword shop, where I had a pretty intense paranormal experience, which i'll save for another time.
During the rainiest part of the afternoon, we dipped into this little corner bar for a drink and some snacks. 
https://www.facebook.com/ChartresHouse/
We enjoyed a little Jameson on the rocks, along with their crab and corn bisque, and crawfish bread.  the atmosphere was a little posh, mixed with European tavern, meets French Quarter loveliness.  Our server, was very professional, and the food was lovely!
That evening, we had plans to hit a friend's art show in the warehouse district.  After a bit of time at our AirBnB, chillin' on the porch with a few of the other guests, we got ready and walked to the bus stop, to catch a bus to the street car and head from the Marigny to the Warehouse District.  By the way, getting around on public transit is pretty easy in the Crescent City.
Later in the day, we were on Frenchman street, and had a sweet tooth.  We popped in to The Praline Connection for a sweet treat.
https://www.facebook.com/PralineConnection/
We ordered sweet potato pie, coffee, Bailey's Irish cream, and something called a "shoe sole".  The best way to explain this is that it's like the best part of the sweet roll, smashed down, and made crispy on the outside by warming it.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it! 
So, we figured we would eat somewhere in that area.  My fella, being the foodie that he is, has been dying to take me to a fine dining establishment, and we just happened to be near Emeril's.  I wasn't too hip on the idea.  I didn't like the idea of being around uppity people and having to put on some sort persona that didn't agree with who I am.  Well, I finally agreed to at least see if we could get in.  I was dressed up, but for an art show, not a 5 star meal.  The host told us that we needed reservations, but, then looked up and saw an empty table in the bar.  They serve the full menu there, so, we went ahead and sat down. 
Waiter places napkin on lap.
Waiter has assistant.
Assistant never lets water get very low.
Appetizer: Greens = very tasty.
Meal: Salmon = bursting with flavors and melts in your mouth.
Dessert: Chocolate torte, along with espresso and a glass of lemoncello = WOW!!!
Ok, so, maybe fine dining like that is a sweet treat once in a while.
After that amazing meal, we made our way to our friend's art show.  Whew! Finally in my element!  The hippies and punkers and artists! Yay! The show was in a warehouse that had been converted to a bar and music venue, called The Howlin' Wolf.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/howlinwolfnola/about/?ref=page_internal
We looked around at all of the vendors, and came across my friend and her fella.  She makes art and jewelry out of toys.  I met her when I was in NOLA during Mardi Gras and we became fast friends, we knew we were kindred spirits.
We made our way back toward Frenchman street, for more art and music.  We tried to get into The Spotted Cat, but it was packed that night!  I love that place, and obviously, so does everyone else!
https://www.facebook.com/Spotted-Cat-Music-Club-192525186022/
There is a little open air art market right next to it though that I've enjoyed on our trips there.  As always, I picked up a few odds and ends from local artists.
After a lovely evening of food and art and music, we headed back to our AirBnB, where the host and other guests were all enjoying the lovely evening.  After a bit, we realized that we had had an early dinner and were hungry.  Our host told us about a little place called Fry and Pie a few blocks away.
https://www.facebook.com/fryandpie/
We made our way there for one last meal in New Orleans.  We got a little chocolate pie made with Guiness and the fries topped with cheese, and egg and bacon.  It was perfect for that 1:00 AM snack.  Fry and Pie is located behind the Hi Lo Lounge. What a perfect idea.  Late night fries and pies near a popular bar area!  Well, we sure enjoyed it!
So, all in all, food, drinks, music and art.... another great weekend in NOLA with my sweetie!
Can't wait to go back! 
(oh, remember the part about us getting engaged?  We are planning on getting married there during Mardis Gras next year!)
Here are just a few more pics I took from the trip.

Thank you for viewing! 

Don't forget to

Follow Your Bliss

~ALWAYS~